Act of Worship

Unequally Yoked

Jonathan Michael Jones

Scripture is replete with difficult-to-understand passages that are often misinterpreted, misapplied, and perverted for personal gain. One such instance is the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Church at Corinth. Paul instructs the Church at Corinth (and, thus, all believers to follow), “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14) While it might be simple to focus on the first part of the command (not to be yoked with unbelievers), all aspects of the verse stem from the second aspect—the lack of commonality between believers and unbelievers. Perhaps one of the most misunderstood and certainly misinterpreted verses in the Bible, when examined from a broader approach, the meaning becomes clearer and it is not related to romantic relationships, as is commonly suggested.

Worship and Missions Interview

Jonathan Michael Jones

Dr. Jonathan Michael Jones interviews missionaries, Stephen and Leann Abbott, of France, and then participates in their interview.

Can a Christian Be a Socialist?

Jonathan Michael Jones

Socialism and its far-reaching and seemingly unceasing grasp have seen drastic rises in Western culture—especially in the United States of America. Recent data reveals surprising (and troubling to many) increases in socialist support in the United States. Nearly half (46% to 49%) of 18- to 34-year-olds view democratic socialism positively. Separate data from organizations like the Cato Institute indicate that up to 62% of young people aged 18 to 29 hold favorable views of socialism. Within the Democratic party, support of socialism is up from 50% to about 66%. While most Americans tend to favor capitalism over socialism, the numbers continue to fall for the former and rise for the latter.[1]

In the United States (at least), however, socialism is often masked with the title of democratic socialism—possibly a feeble attempt to separate the title from communism. The aim of both, however, is the same: to federalize the means of production and private business. With the recent elections of boldly-admitted socialists (e.g., Florida Democrat Angie Nixon, Colorado’s Melat Kiros, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, NY’s Darializa Avila-Chevalier, and massive wins by Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates in Michigan and Pennsylvania, the issue is more than a mere passing phase. It is crucial that Americans consider all facets of socialism and (for the church) especially what it means for Christians.

[1] Lydia Saad, “How Americans View Capitalism, Socialism, and Free Enterprise,” Gallup, August 6, 2026, https://news.gallup.com/poll/713144/americans-view-capitalism-socialism-free-enterprise.aspx. 

How to Handle Fallen Church Leaders

Jonathan Michael Jones

When a Christian leader has a great fall, what should be the response of believers? In world that readily desires to condemn God’s people (and especially her leaders), should local churches respond differently since their lives should reflect that of The Way?[1] God’s call is not purely a vocation (although it could be) but (more) a holy charge by God himself. Collectively, pastors are an extension of the Jesus’ ministry so they are to live disparate lives from even those of the people they lead. Thus, such matters are vital to an appropriate witness for Jesus Christ so here three considerations will be discussed.

1.      Immediate actions

2.      Community and personal response

3.      The contrast to the ways of the world

[1] Here it should be understood as not minor or miniscule mistakes but rather sin-specific actions that cause severe mistrust and pain and primarily by those in local church leadership (i.e., pastoral ministry).

The Best Deviled Ham

Jonathan Michael Jones

The healing power of Jesus is surely no secret. Unambiguously, Jesus is God and, thus, possesses the same healing power as the Father and the Spirit. One of the most unique accounts of Jesus’ healing is told in the fifth chapter of Mark’s Gospel, and it might double as the first report of deviled ham in history. A man who is possessed by a demon understands the power and authority of Jesus in this telling and, therefore, offers a grateful response of worship because of his healing, which could not be accomplished apart from Jesus Christ. In the same way, Jesus is the answer to all the world’s problems. Without Christ, everyone would live to their own perpetual destruction. It is, nevertheless, the power of Jesus that heals, for only Jesus may take a person’s devil and turn it into deviled ham. Here (Mark 5:1-20) is an account of Jesus’ authority and recognition, several responses to Jesus, and the first recipe for deviled ham in history. To the first two elements (Jesus’ authority and recognition), a call is offered to everyone: what will you do with Jesus? Ultimately, everyone will give an answer to what they did with the Son of God, and when that answer is short, Jesus will respond to them with, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matt 7:21).